IAS Speaks

About: United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

About: United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) UNHRC is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world.The UNHRC was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006,, to replace the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR). The headquarters of UNHRC is in Geneva,…

The politics and history behind France seeking ‘forgiveness’ for Rwanda genocide

In News: Recently, French President Emmanuel Macron asked for forgiveness for his country’s role in the 1994 Rwandan massacre in which about 800,000 people (mostly ethnic Tutsis), were killed. The Rwandan genocide: Ethnic tensions: The 1994 genocide was the culmination of long-running ethnic tensions between the minority Tutsi community (control power since colonial rule by Germany and…

About: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI):

About: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): The establishment of the CBI was recommended by the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption (1962–1964).It is not a statutory body as it was set up by a resolution (1963)of the Ministry of Home Affairs.It derives its powers from theDelhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and…

Explained: The Reclining Buddha and his various other depictions in art

In News: On Wednesday, May 26 — Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, or Vesak — India’s largest statue of the Reclining Buddha was to have been installed at the Buddha International Welfare Mission temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar.The ceremony has been postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions. About the Reclining Buddha: A reclining Buddha is an image that represents Buddha lying down and is a major…

Freedom of Navigation Operations

Freedom of Navigation Operations Q Why is it in News?  The US Navy has had “asserted navigational rights and freedoms approximately 130 nautical miles west of Lakshadweep Islands, inside India’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), without requesting India’s prior consent, consistent with international law”. Q What are  Freedom of Navigation Operations?   Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs)…

Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis could be visible in regions such as in the northern parts of Illinois and Pennsylvania in the US. Q. What is Aurora, why does it occur?  Auroras occur when charged particles ejected from the Sun’s surface — called the solar wind — enter the Earth’s atmosphere.While flowing toward Earth, the fast-moving solar wind carries with it the Sun’s magnetic…

Define minorities. What are the socio cultural problems before them and what measures should be adopted to solve them? [200 Words]

Ans.: A minority group, refers to a group of people whose practices, race, religion, ethnicity, or other characteristics are lesser in numbers than the main groups of those classifications.In sociology, a minority group refers to a category of people who experience relative disadvantage as compared to members of a dominant social group. Louis Wirth defined a minority group as “a group of people…

Describe any four cultural elements of diversity in India and rate their relative significance in building a national identity. (UPSC – 2015) [150 Words]

Ans.: Diversity connotes collective differences among people that differentiates one group of people from another.India is considered as a mega culturally diverse country due to the existence of various groups that provide a unique blend to India’s diversity. These culturally diverse elements have given India an identity that is heterogeneous compared to any such large countries. Cultural…

How Asian desert dust enhances Indian summer monsoon

How Asian desert dust enhances Indian summer monsoon Q. What is the news? A recent study shows how dust coming from the deserts in the West, Central and East Asia plays an important role in the Indian Summer Monsoon.The researchers also explain how the Indian Summer Monsoon has a reverse effect and can increase the winds in West Asia to produce yet more dust. Q. What is Positive feedback…

How Supreme Court chooses the Chief Justice of India

How Supreme Court chooses the Chief Justice of India Why is it in News?  Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde has recommended Justice N.V. Ramana, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, as the next top judge. Justice Ramana is now set to take over as the 48th Chief Justice of India from April 24. How is CJI Appointed?  The Chief Justice of India is traditionally appointed by the…

What could be the reasons behind an unusually large hole that has opened in the ozone layer over the Arctic?

What could be the reasons behind an unusually large hole that has opened in the ozone layer over the Arctic? Over the last month, a new hole in the ozone layer has started to form over the Arctic.The ozone layer over the North Pole has been depleted plenty of times in the past. But this time around, extreme weather and atmospheric conditions have led to a far greater depletion than normalThis…

Issue of Same Sex Marriage

Q. Why is this in news?  Recently, the Central Government opposed same-sex marriage in Delhi High Court stating that a marriage in India can be recognised only if it is between a “biological man” and a “biological woman” capable of producing children. Q. What is the background for it? Petitions, seeking recognition of same sex marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act (HMA), 1955 and the Special…

Significance of militants’ surrender in Assam and history of Karbi insurgency.

Q. What is the news? Recently 1,040 militants of five militant groups of Karbi Anglong district ceremonially laid down arms at an event in Guwahati in the presence of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, a development which further bolsters the ‘terrorism-free Assam’ image of the current BJP-led government. Among the surrendered militants is Ingti Kathar Songbijit, a primary accused in multiple…

Why is it unusually foggy over north India this winter?

Why is it unusually foggy over north India this winter? Q. What is the news? For several days during the last two months, zero visibility and dense fog has engulfed parts of Delhi and all of Punjab and Haryana keeping up with cold weather conditions. Last week alone, multiple road accidents due to poor visibility killed close to a hundred people.  What is behind this intense fog which has…

In Focus: Civilian Awards:

In Focus: Civilian Awards: In 1954, Government of India instituted two civilian awards i.e. Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan.The Padma Vibhushan had three classes namely Pahela Varg, Dusra Varg and Tisra Varg, which were subsequently renamed as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri in 1955. About: Bharat Ratna Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award of the country.It is awarded in…

India’s UNSC moment Editorial 26th Jan’21 TimesOfIndia

World is changing fast today: The world of today is evolving rapidly.Structurally, we are seeing a re-emergence of great power contestation (now between the US and China) unlike any we have seen since the end of the Cold War (when it was between the US and Soviet).Fragmented world emerging: A rising China is challenging the fundamentals of the liberal global order.Meanwhile, support for an…

Question Hour: Objective, Origin, Regulation, Types of questions.

In Focus: Question Hour Lok Sabha starts every day with Question Hour.The functioning of the Parliament under normal circumstances is as shown:Objective of Question HourQuestion Hour is the time of an hour during which Members of Parliament ask any questions from ministers related to the implementation of laws and policies under the purview of their Ministry.Members use it to hold the government…